SPRINGFIELD — Protecting the quarterback is always critical to a team’s success. Missouri State’s offensive line will set the standard if the Bears are to achieve their goals this season.
Missouri State’s offensive line changed throughout the team’s scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 15.
It’s an area of the team that Casey Woods wants to have solidified soon, but the amount of different starting options is a nice consolation.
“We are comfortable with two or three positions,” Woods said. “We still have some open battles. We probably have eight who can play in games. We are trying to get to nine or even 10.”
Seven different offensive linemen featured in the first-team offense
in the scrimmage.
Junior Logan Scrivner and fifth-year Isaiah Villanueva both played at center.
Sebastian Espinoza, a senior, and fifth-year Makhete Gueye blocked at the right tackle role. Gueye also slid down to right guard, too. Ryan Mitchell, a junior, played time at right guard.
King Large, a junior, and senior Matthew Greene featured at left tackle. Greene also played time at left guard.
On one hand, no player has solidified one position after this scrimmage. But, it does showcase the offensive line’s multi-faceted skillsets.
“We played with three units and only had 12 guys go in,” Woods said post-scrimmage. “They were getting time and a half, so we’ll have a ton of good tape.”
Gueye and Greene both played in 12 games last season for the Bears. Scrivner played twice, and Mitchell played on the line once with Missouri State last season. Brayden Thompson did not play in the regular season, but started during the Xbox Bowl. The 6-foot-8 sophomore brings continuity from last year’s team.
Villanueva, a Jackson State transfer, played in all 12 games last season, too.
Large followed the coaching staff to the Bears from SMU. He played in three games for the Mustangs in his previous two seasons, while Espinoza transferred from Coffeyville Community College over the offseason.
The offensive line is an area that needs to improve this fall. The Bears allowed 53 sacks last season. But many of last year’s players have departed. Three players transferred along with the graduation of Erick Cade.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Inside Missouri State football's offensive line battles
